Message on the
Observance of Police Week and Police Officers' Memorial Day, May 1988

May 17, 1988

There
can be no more noble vocation than the protection of one's fellow citizens.
Police Week, and in particular Police Officers' Memorial Day, affords each one
of us the yearly opportunity to reflect upon the countless contributions made
by our Nation's police officers.

No
single group is more fully committed to the well-being of their fellow
Americans and to the faithful discharge of duty than our law enforcement
personnel. Danger is a routine part of their job, and all too often we lose one
of these valiant men and women to the sickness that is crime.

I
invite all Americans to honor the memories of these courageous heroes on Police
Officers' Memorial Day. Our Nation is blessed with the most able, professional,
and caring peace officers in the world. What better time to show our deep
appreciation for their selfless devotion than during Police Week.